What I Didn’t Know at Exeter—And What’s Next for Entertablement Abroad

by Helen Kain | Jun 22, 2025 | Cathedral Tapestry, Cathedrals

Forty-two cathedrals, ten years, and one curious Canadian I didn’t set out to build a catalogue of cathedrals. Or stately homes. Or rebellious reformers. Or ecclesiastical power plays. I just liked beautiful places. It began with a trip to Devon and a visit to...

Henry VIII’s Tetrad of Thomases—#4 Thomas Cranmer

by Helen Kain | Jun 3, 2023 | Cathedral Tapestry, England, Fascinating People, Tudors (1485–1603)

Viewing the behaviour of Thomas #4, Cranmer, from a distance of 500+ years, it’s difficult to determine if he was wily or wishy-washy—perhaps both. As part of the double act with Thomas #3 Cromwell, Cranmer played a vital role in ending Henry VIII’s...

Henry VIII’s Tetrad of Thomases—#3 Thomas Cromwell

by Helen Kain | Jun 3, 2023 | Cathedral Tapestry, England, Fascinating People, Tudors (1485–1603)

When Thomas #1, Cardinal Wolsey, fell from grace in 1529 for failure to procure an annulment for King Henry from his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, Thomas #3, Thomas Cromwell, succeeded Wolsey as Henry’s chief advisor. Details of Cromwell’s early life...

Henry VIII’s Tetrad of Thomases—#2 Thomas More

by Helen Kain | May 27, 2023 | Cathedral Tapestry, England, Fascinating People, Tudors (1485–1603)

Thomas #2, Thomas More, acted in both legal and spiritual advisory capacities to King Henry VIII. He was born in London in 1478, the son of a lawyer and later judge, Sir John More. He attended Saint Anthony Grammar School in London while also working as a page to the...

Henry VIII’s Tetrad of Thomases—#1 Cardinal Thomas Wolsey

by Helen Kain | May 20, 2023 | Cathedral Tapestry, Fascinating People, Tudors (1485–1603)

Cardinal Wolsey was born c 1475 in Ipswich, Suffolk, to a butcher and his wife. He attended Ipswich School, then Magdalen College School, before studying theology at Magdalen College, Oxford and graduating at age 15. He was Thomas #1 of Henry VIII’s Tetrad of...

The Dissolution of the Monasteries

by Helen Kain | May 18, 2023 | Abbeys, Monasteries and Churches, Cathedral Tapestry, England, Themes in History, Tudors (1485–1603)

In April of 1536, the 27th year of King Henry VIII’s 38-year reign, more than 800 monasteries, nunneries and friaries were nestled across England — communities of prayer and devotion for abbots, monks, priors and nuns who provided sanctuary, tended the sick and...